Jan. 31, 2001 - Atlas Air Inc. this week named a group of company veterans to steer the cargo carrier in the wake of founder and chairman Michael Chowdry's death.

Brian Rowe, 69, a board member since 1995 and former chairman of GE Aircraft Engines, will be Atlas' chairman, company officials said Tuesday.

Richard Shuyler, 53, acting chief executive officer since Chowdry died in an airplane accident near Denver on Jan. 24, was named chief executive officer. Shuyler joined the company shortly after it was founded in 1992 and was executive vice president for strategic planning before the accident.

"Atlas Air was (Chowdry's) dream, and we are the inheritors of the incredible legacy he left behind," Shuyler told analysts Monday. "I assure you we have committed ourselves to carrying on the outstanding vision and professionalism of Atlas Air and Michael's legacy."

Chowdry's wife, Linda, the largest investor with 47 percent of Atlas' shares, will assume her husband's seat on the board of directors. Shuyler told analysts Monday that she has no plans to sell her stock.

"Linda has made it clear that she is absolutely committed to carrying on Michael's work at Atlas," Shuyler said.

James Matheny, 61, the company's executive vice president of operations, was named president and chief operating officer.

While concerned about the company's future without Chowdry, airline analyst Helane Becker of Buckingham Research Group praised Atlas' management choices.

"I think Brian's (Rowe) appointment is terrific," she said.

Added Shuyler: "He has been a rock of Gibraltar for Atlas on the board nearly since the beginning, and a rock of Gibraltar for Linda during the last few difficult days." Investors apparently haven't lost confidence. Atlas stock closed at $35.30 Tuesday, up 10 cents.

After prices lowered on the day of the accident, shares have risen gradually.

Chowdry, 46, died when a private jet he was piloting crashed shortly after taking off from Front Range Airport, southeast of Denver International Airport. Riding with him in the Czech-built jet fightertrainer was Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Cole, who also died.

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